Design of dielectric rod antenna for ground station applications

Abstract

A high performance Dielectric rod antenna is developed at ISRO Satellite Centre for Ground Station Applications in Ka-band in the frequency range of 25.5 to 27 GHz. Tapered dielectric rod antenna is designed, developed and tested for a possible application in monopulse tracking system. The designed antenna is circularly polarized with a measured axial ratio of 1 dB over the required frequency band of 25 GHz to 27.5 GHz. This antenna is fabricated in Rexolite dielectric material for low loss and high electrical performances. Radiation patterns, return loss performance of the antenna are studied using electromagnetic simulation software. Fabrication is carried out in house facility for the finalised antenna configuration. Antenna pattern measurements are carried out at Compact Antenna Test Facility (CATF) of ISAC, Bengaluru and found that measured results are well matching with simulated results. Developed antenna element has a gain of 16 dBi with symmetrical radiation patterns. In this paper, electrical design, simulation and measured results of the dielectric rod antenna are presented. Developed antenna in 2 x 2 array configuration will be used as monopulse tracking feed in Ground stations.